Protecting Workers from Occupational Exposure to Glutaraldehyde and Other Chemicals

Back in 2006, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released Best Practices for the Safe Use of Glutaraldehyde in Health Care. The 48-page document provides information for health care employers and employees to understand and control exposures to glutaraldehyde to prevent adverse health effects.
 
In the healthcare industry, glutaraldehyde is most often used to disinfect equipment that cannot be heat sterilized. These items may include dialysis instruments, surgical instruments, suction bottles, bronchoscopes, endoscopes, and ear, nose and throat instruments.
 
There are numerous other industries that also utilize glutaraldehyde. Some of the industrial applications listed by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) include:

• Oil and gas recovery operations and pipelines
• Wastewater treatment
• X-ray processing
• Embalming fluid
• Leather tanning
• Paper manufacturing
• Fogging and cleaning of poultry houses
• As a chemical intermediate in the production of various materials

 
“Occupational exposure to elevated levels of glutaraldehyde can be a concern due to the many health effects listed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Workplace exposure typically occurs through inhalation or skin contact and NIOSH reports people may suffer throat and lung irritation; asthma and difficulty breathing; contact and/or allergic dermatitis; nasal irritation; sneezing and wheezing; and burning eyes and conjunctivitis. At Clark Seif Clark our industrial hygiene professionals identify chemical hazards and exposure risks to glutaraldehyde and a wide range of other substances. We offer worksite assessments, inspections, air testing and monitoring, and training services to protect workers and help to keep companies in regulatory compliance.”
 
CSC has also sponsored an educational video about glutaraldehyde and potential exposure concerns that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/_2-g9cR2i-4
 
To learn more about this or other occupational, indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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